After Tuesday’s general election, Oktibbeha County voters are guaranteed to have chosen a new sheriff, tax assessor/collector, supervisor and constable.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day. In-person absentee voting ends at noon Saturday. The ballot consists of statewide and county-level races.
Sheryl Elmore, deputy circuit clerk, said almost 800 absentee ballots had been cast as of Friday afternoon.
Republican Shank Phelps and Democrat John Rice are vying to be the new sheriff, as three-term incumbent Steve Gladney did not seek reelection. Phelps is a former county emergency management director now serving as District 1 constable. Rice, a former sheriff’s deputy, ran unsuccessfully against Gladney in 2019.
For tax assessor/collector, Republican John Montgomery faces Democrat JoHelen Walker. Both are vying to replace longtime incumbent Allen Morgan, who did not seek reelection.
Montgomery is serving his third term as District 1 supervisor. Walker has worked 12 years as one of Morgan’s deputies.
Republican Ben Carver faces Democrat Erik Young to replace Montgomery as District 1 supervisor. Carver is serving his fourth term as Ward 1 Starkville alderman. Young has worked 18 years for 4-County Electric Power Association.
Incumbent Democrat Joe Williams will try to fend off Republican challenger Les Lindley for District 5 supervisor. Williams is serving his third term on the board. Lindley is a retired businessman and cattle farmer.
Incumbent Democrat Marty Haug faces a challenge from Republican Brian Michael Lindner for District 3 justice court judge. Haug, a local attorney, has served on the bench since 2015. Lindner is a local businessman and education minister at Meadowview Baptist Church.
In two contested constable races, Democrat William Ford faces Republican Kenny Watkins in District 1, while Democrat Ronald Hannah is challenging incumbent James Lindsey in District 3.
Oktibbeha voters will also cast ballots for 16th Circuit district attorney, who serves Oktibbeha, Lowndes, Clay and Noxubee counties.
Two-term incumbent Scott Colom, a Democrat, is facing Republican public defender Jase Dalrymple.
Statewide races include governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, auditor, treasurer, insurance commissioner and commissioner for agriculture and commerce.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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